CBI CONDUCTS SEARCHES AT 12 LOCATIONS IN 08 CITIES/DISTRICTS OF UTTAR PRADESH IN TWO SEPARATE CASES RELATED TO ALLEGED ILLEGAL SAND MINING AND RECOVERS HUGE CASH

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered two separate cases related to alleged illegal sand mining in Uttar Pradesh and conducted searches at 12 locations in 08 cities/districts of Uttar Pradesh.

One case has been registered u/s 120-B r/w 379 & 420 of IPC and u/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of P.C. Act, 2018 against then District Magistrate, Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh) and six others including then Mining Minister, Govt of UP; three public servants, Govt of UP; two private persons and unknown public servants & other unknown persons.

Earlier a Preliminary Enquiry was registered on the orders of Allahabad High Court in PIL No. 22482/2016 and PIL No. 29115/2016. It was alleged that the then District Magistrate, Fatehpur, the then Mining Minister of U.P. Govt and other public servants entered into a conspiracy with private persons and renewed 03 sand mining lease in favour of two private persons, both residents of Fatehpur (U.P.). It was further alleged that the then DM, Fatehpur fraudulently executed deeds in compliance of illegal orders of renewal of 03 sand mining leases in favour of the said private persons. These sand mining leases were allegedly renewed in violation of orders of U.P. Govt wherein it was clearly directed that all such leases should be granted through e-tendering process.

The other case has been registered u/s 120-B r/w 379, 403, 420, 467 & 468 of IPC and u/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act against then District Magistrate, Deoria (Uttar Pradesh) and eight others including the then Additional District Magistrate, Deoria (U.P.); three public servants; four private persons and other unknown public servants & private persons.

Earlier a Preliminary Enquiry was registered on the orders of Allahabad High Court in PIL No. 22482/2016 and PIL No. 29115/2016. It was alleged that the then District Magistrate, Deoria (UP) alongwith other officials of his office and private persons entered into conspiracy and fraudulently approved renewal of 02 sand mining leases in favour of two private persons, both residents of Deoria. It was further alleged that the then Mining Inspector, Deoria abused his official position and misappropriated MM-11 forms meant for transportation of minor minerals. These sand mining leases were allegedly renewed in violation of orders of U.P. Govt wherein it was clearly directed that all such leases should be granted through e-tendering process.

Searches were conducted today at 12 locations including Bulandshahar, Lucknow, Fatehpur, Azamgarh, Allahabad, Noida, Gorakhpur, Deoria etc in two separate cases. Cash of around Rs.49 lakh was recovered from the premises of then DM, Fatehpur (presently posted as DM, Bulandshehar ) ; cash of around Rs. 10 lakh was also recovered from the premises of then ADM, Deoria ( presently posted as CDO, Azamgarh ) and some documents related to properties from the premises of the then DM, Deoria ( presently posted as Director, Training & Employment, Lucknow) were also recovered.

Investigation is continuing.